Seeking more information
In this section there is a selection of contact details for organisations that can offer information and help for all aspects of life with AD. This list is not exhaustive and there may be other associations – especially local groups – that can best serve a specific need. Such groups may be reached by first contacting one of the larger national organisations, and requesting appropriate advice.
AD organisations:
International AD organisations
Alzheimer Europe
145, route de Thionville
L-2611 Luxembourg
Tel: +352 29 79 70
Fax: +352 29 79 72
Email: info@alzheimer-europe.org
Website: www.alzheimer-europe.org
Alzheimer Europe (AE) is a non-profit organisation which aims to improve the care and treatment of Alzheimer patients through intensified collaboration between its member associations. An umbrella organisation for 31 member associations across 27 countries, AE is striving to become the coordination and information centre for all organisations working in this specific field, such as day care centres, sitting services, training centres for professionals and related organisations.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)
45–46 Lower Marsh
London SE1 7RG
Tel: 020 7620 3011
Fax: 020 7401 7351
Email: info@alz.co.uk
Website: www.alz.co.uk
An umbrella group of 64 national Alzheimer associations supporting people with dementia and their families. They build and strengthen Alzheimer associations throughout the world, to help them meet the needs of people with dementia and their families. Most members are in developing countries where health and social services are limited, so the Alzheimer association may be the only support available.
National organisations:
Mind
15–19 Broadway
London E15 4BQ
Tel: 020 8519 2122
Fax: 020 8522 1725
Helpline: 0845 766 0163
Email: contact@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
A mental health charity with over 210 local Mind associations
in England and Wales. Mind works to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Resources include fact sheets, booklets, legal information, a magazine providing health professionals, users and carers with coverage of a range of mental health issues, and a programme of conferences and training events.
Alzheimer’s Society
Gordon House
10 Greencoat Place
London SW1P 1PH
Tel: 020 7306 0606
Fax: 020 7306 0808
Helpline: 0845 300 0336 (Mon–Fri, 8.30am–6.30pm)
Email: enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
A care and research charity that provides a helpline for carers, day and home care, as well as giving financial help to families in need. It funds medical and scientific research, and campaigns for improved health, social services and greater public understanding of all aspects of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society has produced a living will specially designed for people with dementia, and a copy of the document can be obtained by contacting them or from their website.
Alzheimer Scotland – Action on Dementia
22 Drumsheugh Gardens
Edinburgh EH3 7RN
Tel: 0131 243 1453
Fax: 0131 243 1450
Helpline: 0808 808 3000 (24-hour)
Email: alzheimer@alzscot.org
Website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland helps people with dementia, their carers and families. They work nationally and locally to raise awareness of dementia and to influence local and national government. As well as the national 24-hour Helpline, the organisation provides local services through 42 services around Scotland. There are also 14 volunteer-run branches which campaign and provide services locally.
Help the Aged
207–221 Pentonville Road
London N1 9UZ
Tel: 020 7278 1114
Seniorline: 0808 800 6565 (for advice on welfare rights
9am–5pm, Mon–Fri)
Email: info@helptheaged.org.uk
Website: www.helptheaged.org.uk
Help the Aged addresses issues that matter to older people. Their priorities include combating poverty, reducing isolation, defeating ageism, challenging poor care standards. They work together with older people to campaign, research and develop practical solutions.
Age Concern
Astral House
1268 London Road
London SW16 4ER
Tel: 020 8765 7200
Fax: 020 8765 7211
Helpline: 0800 00 99 66 (Every day, 7am–7pm)
Email:
ace@ace.org.uk
Website:
www.ace.org.uk
Age Concern supports people over 50, ensuring that they get the most from life. It campaigns on issues such as age discrimination and pensions, and works to influence public opinion and government policy about older people. Local Age Concerns are tailored to specific local needs and focus on providing vital services to older people in the community. As well as key services such as information transport, day centres, lunch clubs and home visits, an Age Concern might also provide leisure services and holidays for older people, specific advice on benefits, or advocacy.
Carers and caring
Carers UK (formerly The Carers National Association)
20–25 Glasshouse Yard
London EC1A 4JT
Tel: 020 7490 8818
Fax: 020 7490 8824
Helpline: 0808 808 7777 (Mon–Fri, 10am–12pm, 2pm–4pm)
Email: info@ukcarers.org
Website: www.carersonline.org.uk
Information and advice on every aspect of caring in the UK.
for dementia
6 Camden High Street
London NW1 0JH
Tel: 020 7874 7210
Fax: 020 7874 7219
Email: info@fordementia.org.uk
Website: www.fordementia.org.uk
Organisation working in many areas to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers. They have established a carer’s network as well as a specialist dementia nursing group known as ‘Admiral Nurses’.
Crossroads – caring for carers
10 Regent Place
Rugby
Warwickshire CV21 2PN
Tel: 0845 450 0350
Fax: 01788 565 498
Email:
communications@crossroads.org.uk
Website:
www.crossroads.org.uk
Network of countrywide organisations that aim to provide practical support for carers by arranging support worker visits to relieve the carer for a fixed period of time.
Caring about Carers
Website: www.doh.gov.uk/carers
Provides information about the government’s ‘National Strategy for Carers’. The site also lists facts, figures and useful links to carer organisations.
Princess Royal Trust for Carers
142 Minories
London EC3N 1LB
Tel: 020 7480 7788
Fax: 020 7481 4729
Email: help@carers.org
Website: www.carers.org
Network of carer centres that provide support, information and practical help to carers across the country.
Ring Around Carers
Register through your local BBC radio station
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/england/ringaroundcarers
A confidential free service set up by the BBC and Community Network. Aims to set up sociable weekly telephone chats between carers in the same local area.
A–Z Care Homes Guide
PO Box 7677
Hungerford RG17 0FX
Tel: 01488 684321
Fax: 01488 681968
Email: sales@carehome.co.uk
Website: www.carehomes.co.uk
Search for information about nursing homes throughout the country (18,000 listed) via the website, or purchase the A–Z Care Homes Guide Book.
Disability equipment
Disabled Living Foundation
380–384 Harrow Road
London W9 2HU
Tel: 020 7289 6111 (9am–5pm, Mon–Fri)
Helpline: 0845 130 9177 (10am–1pm, Mon–Fri)
Email: advice@dlf.org.uk
Website: www.dlf.org.uk/centre
Provides a range of information on the equipment available for people with disabilities – designed to promote independent living.
Technical Equipment for Disabled People
‘Hazeldene’
Ightham
Sevenoaks
Kent TN15 9AD
Tel: 0845 130 0456
Fax: 0845 130 0789
Email: info@remap.org.uk
Website: www.remap.org.uk
Volunteer organisation that provides custom-made gadgets and modifies equipment and aids for people with specific needs.
Holidays/activities
Holiday Care
7th floor
Sunley House
4 Bedford Park
Croydon
Surrey CRO 2AP
Tel: 0845 124 9971
Fax: 0845 124 9972
Email: info@holidaycare.org
Website: www.holidaycare.org.uk
Aimed at elderly or disabled travellers, and offers information about transport, accommodation, visitor attractions, and respite care establishments, both in the UK and overseas. Provides links to other organisations that may be able to arrange travel and holidays.
TRIPSCOPE
The Vassall Centre
Gill Avenue
Bristol BS16 2QQ
Tel: 0117 939 7782
Fax: 0117 939 7736
Helpline: 08457 58 56 41 (9am–5pm, Mon–Fri)
Email: enquiries@tripscope.org.uk
Website: www.tripscope.org.uk
Offers expert advice to people who have difficulty with travelling due to impaired mobility.
Winged Fellowship Trust
Angel House
20–32 Pentonville Road
London N1 9XD
Tel: 020 7833 2594
Fax: 020 7278 0370
Email: admin@wft.org.uk
Website: www.wft.org.uk
Charity organisation providing holidays for people with
disabilities (including dementia), and arranging holiday breaks
for carers.
Financial/legal information
A certain amount of financial and legal advice can be obtained free through one of the national AD associations, or by contacting the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (see below). However, once professional lawyers, solicitors or financial advisors are required, make sure that the fees and charges involved are made clear before an appointment is made.
Department for Work and Pensions
Correspondence Unit
Room 540
The Adelphi
1–11 John Adam Street
London WC2N 6HT
Tel: 020 7712 2171 (9am–5pm, Mon–Fri)
Fax: 020 7712 2386
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
Government department offering information on the financial and practical benefits and services to which a carer is entitled.
Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL)
0800 88 22 00 (8.30am–6.30pm, Mon–Fri; 9am–1pm, Sat)
Free advice line run by the Department for Work and Pensions(see above).
Advice guide
The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
Myddelton House
115–123 Pentonville Road
London N1 9LZ
Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk
General source of information on help and benefits, including health-related issues.
Community Legal Services Directory
Helpline: 0845 608 1122
Website:
www.justask.org.uk
Helpline that provides local information regarding solicitors, advice agencies, etc.
LawNet Ltd
First floor
93/95 Bedford Street
Royal Leamington Spa
Warwickshire CV32 5BB
Tel: 01926 886 990
Fax: 01926 886 553
Email: admin@lawnet.co.uk
Website: www.lawnet.co.uk
Countrywide network of law firms, which can provide recommendations on which firms have experience in advising people concerned with dementia.
Counsel and Care
Twyman House
16 Bonny Street
London NW1 9PG
Tel: 020 7241 8555
Fax: 020 7267 6877
Helpline: 0845 300 7585 (10am–1pm, Mon–Fri)
Email: advice@counselandcare.org.uk
Website: www.counselandcare.org.uk
Organisation providing help and advice for older people.
Nursing Homes Fees Agency (NHFA)
St Leonard’s House
Mill Street
Eynsham
Oxford OX29 4JX
Tel: 01865 733 000
Fax: 01865 733 001
Helpline: 0800 99 88 33
Email: enquiries@nhfa.co.uk
Website: www.nhfa.co.uk
Organisation providing free information and advice on obtaining and paying for all types of care.
Other
The Continence Foundation
307 Hatton Square
16 Baldwins Gardens
London EC1N 7RJ
Helpline: 0845 345 0165 (9.30am–1pm, Mon–Fri)
Email: continence-help@dial.pipex.com
Website: www.continence-foundation.org.uk
Organisation specialising in information and advice for people with bladder and bowel problems.